About Rabbi Hershel of Ziditshoiv

Reb Zvi Hirsch Eichenstein of Zhidakov (Szydechow one of many alternate spellings) was a prominent tsadikim in the rabbinic dynasty of Zhidachov-Komarno. His nephew Yitshak Yehudah was another, whose four sons and his son-in-law all became leaders of rabbinic dynasties. Reb Hirsch was a prolific author, profound mystic, and venerated leader One of his works "Turn Aside from Evil and Do Good. An Introduction and a Way to the Tree of Life [SUR ME-RA’ VA-’ASEH TOV,]" originally published in 1832, a year after the author’s death], was translated, introduced, and annotated by Louis Jacobs. London – Washington: The Littman Library of Jewish Civilization, 1995. He was a descendant of the Tosfos Yomtov.

Tzvi Hirsh, born 1763 in Sambor and died in Zidichov 1831, was a Hasidic rabbi and the founder of the Zidichov Hasidic Judaism dynasty in Zidichov. He was a disciple of Rabbi Yaakov Yitzchak of Lublin the "Seer of Lublin" (Chozeh of Lublin). He was introduced to the Chozeh by his younger brother, Rabbi Moshe of Sambor.

Among Rabbi Tzvi Hirsh's students were Rabbi Yitzchak Isaac of Komarna, Rabbi Tzvi Elimelech of Dinov (the Bnei Yisaschar), Rabbi Yitzchak Isaac of Zidichov, Rabbi Shimon of Yaruslav, and Rabbi Shalom of Kaminka.

Rabbi Tzvi Hirsh was very passionate about studying Kabbalah, Zohar, and the Kitvei Ari ("writings of Rabbi Yitzchak Luria") in particular. He made a tremendous effort in encouraging Jews to study these works. With the assistance of his students, some yeshivot in Galicia added the study of Kabbalah to their curriculum. Rabbi Tzvi Hirsh blended the teachings of the Baal Shem Tov with the kabbalah of the Ari.

His book Ateret Tzvi includes his commentary on the Zohar. In his book Sur Mei'ra Ve'asei Tov (lit., "refrain from evil and do good"), he shows the path to spiritual growth with the assistance of Zohar study and the Kitvei Ari.

Rabbi Yitzchak Isaac of Komarna writes in one of his books that the soul of his teacher Rabbi Tzvi Hirsh is "from the root of the soul of Rabbi Chaim Vital, which is close to the soul of Rabbi Akiva".

The current Ziditshover Rebbe is Naftali Tzvi Labin of Zhidachov, now in Williamsburg, New York.